January 22, 2014

Roy Winden

Roy V. Winden, 89, of Williston, N.D., formerly of Alexander, N.D., and more recently of the North Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive, Mont., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at the Veteran’s Home. Cremation has taken place.  Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston.  Nick Johnson will officiate. Roy Vernon Winden was born on Feb. 26, 1924, at Northwood, N.D., the son of Gilman and Hattie (Hansen) Winden. He was raised and received his education in Alexander, N.D.
After graduating from high school in 1942, he went into the US Army Air Force during World War II. After training as a tail gunner in the B-24 Liberator bomber, he was sent overseas and was based in England with the 492nd and 467th bomb group of the 8th Air Force. He flew 30 missions over Germany and was awarded the air medal with four oak leaf clusters. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on Oct. 11, 1945. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion of Alexander Post No. 94 and Alexander Lions Club.
After the war, he returned to Alexander and went into the trucking business. He purchased the Alexander Hall, which soon became a popular place for roller skating, movies and dances. Roy often talked about how he enjoyed running the Hall and meeting people from the surrounding area.
On Oct. 26, 1949, he married Vivian Leier of Esmond, N.D., who was working as a registered nurse in Williston. They had six children.
He received the job of rural mail carrier in Alexander in 1955. He began a floor sanding business and continued with his grain hauling business for farmers in McKenzie County.
Roy carried mail in the Alexander area until 1977. Vivian and Roy then moved to Williston when he was transferred as a mail carrier to routes in Fortuna, Epping, Springbrook and Williston. He retired as a postal employee in 1984.
Roy was a devoted father who enjoyed taking his family fishing, boating, and camping. He spent a lot of time making the Winden family home in Alexander, a place where all the neighbor children gathered to play basketball, volleyball, and other games. He took great pride in his yard and house and nothing that needed repair went unfixed for long. During his retirement, he and Vivian traveled in their camper, visiting Canada and 43 states, including Alaska.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian of Williston; four daughters, Jean (Jon) Berger, Williston, Mary (David) Njos, Williston, Margaret (Mark) Fleck, Minot, and Karen Fehr, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and son, Don, Minot. Roy’s beloved grandchildren include: Jason (Janae) Berger, Erica (Dave) Horihan, Benjamin Njos, Andrew (Vanessa) Njos, Mallory (Chris) Brown, Rachael Winden, Matthew Winden, Kristina Watkins, Dawson Fehr, step-grandson Leif (Amanda) Mattson and four great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by brothers, Harold (Bernie) Winden, David (Trin) Winden, Rick (Pat) Winden; sister, Helen Kush; sisters-in-law, Agnes Winden and Donna Winden; and brother-in-law, Aveard Fjelstad.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, John, Art and Lloyd Winden; two sisters, Edith Fjelstad and Ethel Henneberg; and daughter, Joyce Kaiser.
Friends may call on Friday, Jan.  24, 2014, at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Williston from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday one hour prior to services.
 Friends may sign the online register book and give their condolence at www.fulkersons.com
 

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